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When to Plant Catnip in Niagara, ON

Catnip is a hardy perennial herb in the mint family known for its effect on cats. It also makes a calming tea and is a useful companion plant that repels some pests.

Niagara, Ontario is in USDA Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is March 26 and the first fall frost is November 1, giving you a growing season of approximately 220 days.

At an elevation of 324 feet, Niagara receives approximately 46.4 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly clay loam soil. Summer highs average 92°F, providing good warmth for Catnip during the growing season. Clay soil retains moisture well for Catnip, but amend with compost to improve drainage and prevent root rot.

Niagara, ON (Zone 8a) Long season
220 days
Last Spring Frost March 26
220 growing days
First Fall Frost November 1

Niagara Soil Profile

Soil Type

Clay Loam

Soil pH

6.0-7.0

Drainage

Well Drained

Catnip Planting Timeline — Niagara, ON

Catnip Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors April 2 Apr 2 – Apr 16
Harvest June 4 Jun 4 – Aug 6

Plant 0.5" deep · 8" apart · Rows 12" apart

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January
February
March
April Transplant Outdoors
May
June Harvest
July Harvest
August Harvest
September
October
November
December

Growing Conditions

☀️ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

💧 Water

Low — drought tolerant

📅 Days to Maturity

60–80 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 6–7.5 · Your soil: N/A

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 8a

📆 Growing Season

220 days in Niagara

Growing Tips for Niagara

Direct sow or start indoors. Catnip is very easy to grow and can become invasive. Harvest leaves before flowering for tea. Protect young plants from cats.

Companion Planting

Good Companions

Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Catnip in Niagara, ON?

Niagara is in Zone 8a with an average last frost of March 26. Plan your Catnip planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Niagara, ON?

Niagara, Ontario is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is March 26 and first fall frost is November 1.

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Your Niagara Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Niagara (Zone 8a). Planting dates, a month-by-month schedule, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — all dialed in for your exact growing season.

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Data sources: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023), NOAA 30-Year Climate Normals. Frost dates are based on 50% probability averages for Niagara, ON. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: June 2026.

Sources & credits

Every number on this page traces back to a primary horticulture or government data source. Click through to verify.